épointer

Senses

1. 1.

   to blunt; to dull the point of

   to remove or break the sharp point from an object (tool, weapon, pencil, etc.)

2. 2.

   to break the tip off

   to damage or snap the pointed end of something

Examples

• "Il a épointé son couteau en le laissant tomber."

  He dulled his knife by dropping it.

• "Les enfants ont épointé tous les crayons en jouant."

  The children broke off the tips of all the pencils while playing.

• "Cette lame s'est épointée après plusieurs utilisations."

  This blade lost its edge/became blunt after several uses.

Usage

A rather formal or technical verb, most common in everyday speech about tools, weapons, or writing implements. Often used reflexively (s'épointer) to describe something becoming dulled on its own. Relatively rare in modern usage.